Azizan Ahmad

Bio-based polyurethane reinforced with cellulose nanofibers: A comprehensive investigation on the effect of interface

Novel bio-based polyurethane (PU) nanocomposites composed of cellulose nanofiller extracted from the rachis of date palm tree and polycaprolactone (PCL) diol based PU were prepared by casting/evaporation. Two types of nanofiber were used: cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). The mechanical and thermal properties of the nanocomposite films were studied by DMA, DSC, and tensile tests and the morphology was investigated by SEM. Bionanocomposites presented good mechanical properties in comparison to neat PU. While comparing both nanofillers, the improvement in mechanical and thermal properties was more pronounced for the nanocomposites based on CNF which could be explained, not only by the higher aspect ratio of CNF, but also by their better dispersion in the PU matrix. Calculation of the solubility parameters of the nanofiller surface polymers and of the PU segments portend a better interfacial adhesion for CNF based nanocomposites compared to CNC.

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles with antibacterial activity using the lichen Parmotrema praesorediosum

Development of a green chemistry process for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles has become a focus of interest. This would offer numerous benefits, including ecofriendliness and compatibility for biomedical applications. Here we report the synthesis of silver nanoparticles from the reduction of silver nitrate and an aqueous extract of the lichen Parmotrema praesorediosum as a reductant as well as a stabilizer. The physical appearance of these silver nanoparticles was characterized using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques. The results show that silver nanoparticles synthesized using P. praesorediosum have an average particle size of 19 nm with a cubic structure. The antibacterial activity of the synthesized silver nanoparticles was tested against eight micro-organisms using the disk diffusion method. The results reveal that silver nanoparticles synthesized using P. praesorediosum have potential antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria.

Preparation and characterization of PMMA?MG49?LiClO4 solid polymeric electrolyte

The potential of hybrid polymer 49% poly(methyl methacrylate)-grafted natural rubber (MG49) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) as a polymer host in solid polymer electrolyte film for rechargeable battery systems has been investigated. The hybrid films were prepared by the solution casting technique. The ionic conductivity was investigated by alternating current electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The highest conductivity was 1.47 ? 10?8?S?cm?1 at 20?wt% of LiClO4. The observation on structural studies performed by x-ray diffraction showed that the crystallinity phase is reduced at the highest conductivity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis showed that the interaction between lithium ion and oxygen atoms occurred at carbonyl (C=O) and ether (C?O?C) groups.

Conductivity and Dielectric Behavior Studies of Carboxymethyl Cellulose from Kenaf Bast Fiber Incorporated with Ammonium Acetate-BMATFSI Biopolymer Electrolytes

This work was undertaken to study the conductivity and dielectric behavior of a biopolymer electrolyte based on carboxymethyl cellulose that was synthesized from kenaf fiber. Biopolymer electrolytes comprised of various weight percentage ratios of the host polymer, ammonium acetate salt, and butyl-trimethyl ammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ionic liquid were prepared by the solution casting technique. The conductivity values were determined by impedance spectroscopy. The highest conductivity found was 2.18 × 10−3 S cm−1 at ambient temperature for the film incorporated with 20 wt.% salt and 20 wt.% ionic liquid. In order to understand the conductivity behavior, a dielectric study was carried out. The results showed that the system obeys the Arrhenius rule and confirmed non-Debye behavior in the sample.

Polymer electrolyte for photoelectrochemical cell and dye-sensitized solar cell: a brief review

This paper reviews the use of solid polymeric electrolyte (SPE) and gel polymeric electrolyte (GPE) in photoelectrochemical cell (PEC) and dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The structure of PEC and its working principle are presented. The various types of polymer electrolytes utilized in PEC and DSSC have been highlighted in this review. It also highlights the comparison of performance of PEC and DSSC utilizing those polymer electrolytes. This review is completed with the list of other SPEs that potentially be tested in DSSC.

An Investigation on the Properties of Palm-Based Polyurethane Solid Polymer Electrolyte

Palm-based polyurethane electrolyte was prepared via prepolymerization method between palm kernel oil polyol (PKO-p) and 2,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) in acetone at room temperature with the presence of lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate (LiCF3SO3). The effect of varying the concentration of LiCF3SO3 salt on the ionic conductivity, chemical interaction, and structural and morphological properties of the polyurethane solid polymer electrolyte was investigated. The produced film was analyzed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The EIS result showed that the highest ionic conductivity was at 30 wt% LiCF3SO3 with a value of 1.6 × 10−5 Scm−1. Infrared analysis showed the interaction between lithium ions and amine group (–N–H) at (3600–3100 cm−1), carbonyl group (–C=O) at (1750–1650 cm−1), and ether group (–C–O–C–) at (1150–1000 cm−1) of the polyurethane forming polymer-salt complexes. The XRD result proved that LiCF3SO3 salt completely dissociates within the polyurethane film as no crystalline peaks of LiCF3SO3 were observed. The morphological study revealed that the films prepared have a good homogeneity and compatibility as no phase separation occurred.

Preparation and Characterization of Polymer Electrolyte of Glycidyl Methacrylate-Methyl Methacrylate-LiClO4 Plasticized with Ethylene Carbonate

In the present investigation, we study the properties of the plasticized polyglycidyl methacrylate P(GMA) copolymerized with polymethyl methacrylate P(MMA)-LiClO4 polymer electrolyte prepared by solution casting technique. The electrolyte was characterized using impedance spectroscopy (EIS), Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The conductivity was improved from  S cm−1 to  S cm−1 upon the addition of 25 wt.% LiClO4 salt into P(GMA-MMA). The conductivity was improved from  S cm−1 to  S cm−1 upon the addition of 80 wt.% EC into P(GMA-MMA)-LiClO4 The band that belongs to C–O–C is shifted farther than the band of C=O upon the addition of LiClO4 into P(GMA-MMA). The band of C–O–C stretching is shifted to lower wavenumber upon the addition of EC into P(GMA-MMA)-LiClO4. Upon the addition of EC into P(GMA-co-MMA), the intensity of the peaks decreases, implying the amorphous nature of the electrolyte increases with the concentration of the plasticizer. The electrolyte is electrochemically stable at 3.8 V, making it suitable for dye-sensitized solar cell application.

The Effect of Lithium Iodide to the Properties of Carboxymethyl κ-Carrageenan/Carboxymethyl Cellulose Polymer Electrolyte and Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Performance

This study was undertaken to investigate the solid biopolymer electrolytes based on a carboxymethyl κ-carrageenan/carboxymethyl cellulose blend complexed with lithium iodide of various weight ratios. The complexation of the doping salt with the polymer blend was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Ionic conductivity of the film was determined by impedance spectroscopy in the frequency range of 10 Hz to 4 MHz and in the temperature range of 303–338 K. The ionic conductivity increased with the increase in lithium iodide concentration as well as temperature. The membrane comprising 30 wt % of lithium iodide was found to give the highest conductivity of 3.89 × 10−3 S·cm−1 at room temperature. The increase in conductivity was associated with the increase in the number as well as the mobility of the charge carries. The conductivity increase with temperature followed the Vogel–Tamman–Fulcher model. The fabricated dye-sensitive solar cell, FTO/TiO2-dye/CMKC/CMCE-LiI (30 wt %) +I2/Pt exhibited the highest conversion efficiency of 0.11% at a light intensity of 100 mW·cm−2. This indicated that the biopolymer blend electrolyte system has potential for use in dye-sensitized solar cells.

Effects of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as cross-linker in ionic liquid gel polymer electrolyte based on poly(glycidyl methacrylate)

ABSTRACT In this study, modified poly(glycidyl methacrylate)-based films for gel electrolyte were prepared by an in situ UV photopolymerization technique. The effects of adding ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) to the polymer host were studied through X-ray diffraction analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The results from Fourier transform-infrared spectra indicate complete polymerization among the monomers. The addition of EGDMA to the formulation of gel polymer electrolyte increased the loading of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(fluoromethylsulfonyl)imide up to 200 wt.% with the highest value of 8.2 × 10−4 S cm−1. All the gel polymer electrolyte membranes obeyed the Arrhenius law.

Characterization of ɽ -carrageenan and its derivative based green polymer electrolytes

The new types of green polymer electrolytes based on ɽ -carrageenan derivative have been prepared. ɽ -carrageenan act as precursor was reacted with monochloroacetic acid to produce carboxymethyl ɽ -carrageenan. The powders were characterized by Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to confirm the substitution of targeted functional group in ɽ -carrageenan. The green polymer electrolyte based on ɽ -carrageenan and carboxymethyl ɽ -carrageenan was prepared by solution-casting technique. The films were characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to determine the ionic conductivity. The ionic conductivity ɽ -carrageenan film were higher than carboxymethyl ɽ -carrageenan which 4.87 ×10−6 S cm−1 and 2.19 ×10−8 S cm−1, respectively.